Theresa Dempsey Brant

Theresa “Terry” Dempsey Brant. 69 of Charleston, widow of Earl “Freeman” Brant, passed silently from this life, in the arms of her loving daughter, into her eternal life with her Heavenly Father on Friday, November 10, 2023.

A gathering of friends and family will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023 from 12:00 o’clock to 1:00 o’clock with a memorial service to follow. It will be held at 102 James Street, Walterboro, SC 29488. Pastor Tom Polk with Jones Swamp Pentecostal Church will officiate.

Flowers will be accepted or in lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Colleton County Animal Shelter.

Terry was the eldest daughter of Heyward C. “Red” Dempsey, Jr. and Betty Jule Dempsey. She was born on November 21, 1953 in Charleston, South Carolina. She was the eldest of four siblings, Denise Dempsey, Thomas Glenn Dempsey and Heyward C. “Tray” Dempsey all of Charleston. Terry attended James Island High School. After high school she attended Singing River Junior College in Mississippi for nursing but ended up pursuing a career in criminal justice and law enforcement. She took a position as a dispatcher for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and was promoted to Deputy Sheriff. This was one of her greatest life’s accomplishments and often spoke about her time on the force. 

She returned to Charleston in the early 80’s to care for her mother when she met and fell in love with the love of her life, Freeman Brant. They were happily married for 31 years and loved to tell the story of how they got married in the back of a gas station. She was also a waitress for Alex’s Restaurant in Mount Pleasant for 15 years. She was an avid painter and loved to sit in the gazebo and watch the hummingbirds. She especially loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren and spending time with them. She will be dearly missed.

Terry is survived by her children, Tusami Floresca-Zahler (Joe), Heyward C. “Tray” Dempsey IV (Brandy), Step-daughter, Stephanie Lewis (Randal), and Jeremy Portnoy (Carly). She has seven grandchildren, Randal Lewis Jr., Amanda Jule Floresca (Korey), Andrew Freeman Floresca (Chelsey), Logan Lewis, John Kolb, Avery Floresca, and Brandon Kolb; Five Great-Grandchildren: Koda Brant, Archie Wilder, Micah Copeland, Abel Freeman and Jackson Portnoy.  Siblings, Denise Dempsey and Thomas Glenn Dempsey. Special nieces Paula Jacques (Dewayne), Sierra Dempsey and Paige Dempsey. Great nieces and nephews: Emily West, Calvin West, D.J. Jaques (Tiffany), Malory Jaques. Special friends, Bobby Baker, Teena Boyer Bradley, Delfin Floresca (Maureen), Mr. and Mrs. Miguel Floresca, Crystal Eplin, Danny McGrew, Paula Sietz and John McCain. Special thank you to Blane Padgett and Robin Varn of Agape who assisted in the wonderful care of our mother.

She was predeceased by her husband, Earl Freeman Brant, her brother Tray Dempsey and her parents Betty Jule and Red Dempsey.